The word "erotic" refers to things that are connected to or designed to stimulate sexual desire. Erotic movies are films that deal with human sexual behavior. They often feature explicit nudity, foreplay, intercourse, orgasm, fetishes, etc. Many people watch them for entertainment purposes while others want to learn about different aspects of sex. Some believe erotic films can help improve their self-esteem and body image because they show what men/women find attractive in a partner. But research shows that this belief is misguided. In fact, such films tend to shape viewers' perception of what is sexy rather than reflect reality.
Most mainstream erotic movies follow a standard formula. The protagonist is usually white, young, fit, conventionally attractive, and heterosexual. Their gender expression is usually masculine/feminine. Their skin tone is light. This stereotype creates an unrealistic expectation of how one should look like to be sexy. It may lead some viewers to feel bad about themselves if they do not match these standards.
Dark-skinned women may develop low self-esteem after watching a film where all the actors have lighter complexions. Men who do not have muscular bodies or hairy chests may also feel less desirable after seeing them portrayed as ideal in such films.
Erotic movies typically present exaggerated versions of reality. Characters are expected to be flawless. Their performances are perfect and they always achieve climaxes. Actors and actresses are selected based on appearance instead of acting skills. As such, regular people may feel they cannot live up to those expectations. They may start comparing themselves negatively with the characters and doubt their own abilities.
This can affect their confidence levels and overall wellbeing.
These films often emphasize the importance of size and physical features over personality traits such as kindness, intelligence, honesty, etc. Women may believe that being thin or having large breasts makes them more appealing while men think that muscle mass determines how desirable they are. In real life, many people find these attributes to be superficial. Someone's personality plays a much bigger role when choosing partners. Unfortunately, erotic films rarely showcase this side of relationships.
Apart from influencing body image and self-confidence, erotic movies might also encourage unsafe sexual practices. Many scenes depict risky behaviors like unprotected sex or rough treatment without consequences. This normalizes dangerous activities and encourages viewers to repeat them offscreen. It is especially true among teenagers who lack critical thinking skills. They might try to imitate what they see without understanding the dangers involved.
If someone watches several movies where women get "roughed" during intercourse, they might pressure their partner for the same experience even if it goes against their wishes.
Erotic films are entertainment products designed to generate profits.
They can have negative effects on our perception of beauty, relationships, and safety. We should not take them too seriously because they do not reflect reality. Instead, we should focus on improving ourselves in all aspects: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
How do erotic films influence body image and self-esteem by shaping what is portrayed as “desirable”?
Erotic films can influence body image and self-esteem by presenting idealized images of bodies that are often unattainable for most people, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth. The sexualization of these images also perpetuates harmful stereotypes about gender roles, power dynamics, and objectification.